Dimitri Payet scored in both halves to give West Ham a 2-0 victory that leaves Newcastle winless from five Premier League games.
The France attacker steered home a superb opener on just nine minutes before firing his second from close-range after Victor Moses had hit the bar three minutes into the second half.
The hosts looked in firm control for the majority of the game and Newcastle's chances were scant, with right-back Daryl Janmaat going closest when he forced Darren Randolph to save in the first half.
And Slaven Bilic's side were in enough control to hand Andy Carroll a late return to action after eight months out with a knee injury.
But there was little comfort for boss Steve McClaren, whose side arrived at Upton Park less than 50 minutes before kick-off, and were undoubtedly affected by the delay.
Newcastle's players and staff had to walk the final leg of their journey after traffic prevented their bus getting close to the ground, and they did not look ready when Payet fired the Hammers into the lead.
Captain Mark Noble stole in-front of his marker before laying the ball off to Payet on the edge of the penalty area, and he curled home skilfully into the top corner.
The summer signing from Marseille ran the show in the first half, and he poked wide from a pass from Victor Moses, who was also excellent on his debut, on 18 minutes.
At the other end, Janmaat was as surprised as anyone to find himself one-on-one with Randolph after a heavy touch from Vernon Anita beat West Ham's back-line, but the Hammers keeper got down low to stop the shot.
Manuel Lanzini and Moses both shot wide of the target and the Hammers remained unfazed by the loss of defender Angelo Ogbonna, who was replaced by Carl Jenkinson before half-time.
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